Settlement Applications for EU Nationals & Non-EU Family Members in UK

Not sure what EEA Application you need to make? Find out what category you fall into below:

I am an EU National and have been living in the UK for less than 5 Years

You need to apply for Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme in order to be able to continue to live in the UK after June 30 2021.
For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme, Go Here.
I am an EU National and have been living in the UK for 5 Years or more

You may be elegible for Permanent Residence and be able to apply for Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme, Go Here.
I am a EU National and want to bring my Non-EU Family Member to the UK

You may be able to apply for an EEA Family Permit for your Close (and some extended) Family Members that are not EU Citizens to come to join you in the UK.
For more information on the EEA Family Permit, Go Here.
I am a Non-EU Citizen and have been living with my EU Family Member in the UK less than 5 Years

You need to apply for Pre-Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme in order to continue to live in the UK after June 30 2021.
For more information about the EU Settlement Scheme, Go Here.

The current Law for European Citizens already living in the UK

If you are a European Economic Area (EEA) national already living in the UK before 31 December 2020, you automatically have the right to live, work and study in the UK.

Countries included in the EEA are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

* Note: Nationals of Switzerland, Bulgaria and Romania also have the same rights as EEA nationals.

First Stage: EEA Family Permit

If you are a Non EEA/EU Citizen, and you are not currently residing in the UK, but are a Family member of an EU Citizen who is currently residing in the UK, an EEA Family Permit is the first type of EEA/EU application you would need to apply for in order to enter the UK.

An EEA Family Permit is a form of entry clearance to the UK and is designed to make movement around the Member States easier for non-EEA family members.

EEA Family Permit holders are able to enter, live and work in the UK, on the basis of them being a dependent of a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA).

An EEA family permit is valid for 6 months. You can leave and enter the UK as many times as you need within that time. It is advisable to submit an application for the pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, however, in order to be able to legally remain in the UK. See below for more details.

Second Stage: Residence Card and Pre-Settled Status

Before the 30th of June 2021, in order to remain in the UK, EU nationals and their family members must apply for pre-settled status, to confirm their immigration statuses in the UK. This is regardless of whether or not the EEA National and/or their family members already have a Residence Permit or a Residence Card.

The application is available for EU Nationals and/or their family members who will have lived in the UK for less than 5 years by the 31st of December 2020.

Deadline to Submit the Applications:

The deadline to submit the application for pre-settled status is the 30th of June 2021.

How long is it valid until?: The Pre-Settled Status Document is valid for 5 years (the same as the previous The Residence Card/Registration Certificate).

Third Stage: Settled Status

Settled Status:

All EEA Nationals and their family members can apply for settled status if they have lived continously in the UK for 5 years or more, on or before the 31st of December 2020, providing certain requirements are met.

The deadline to submit this application is the 30th of June 2021.

Other EEA Applications

Retained Rights of Residence:

The current EEA regulations also provide for certain family members of EEA nationals to keep their right of residence in the UK in circumstances when the EEA national:

● has passed away; or

● leaves the UK; or

● divorces their spouse or dissolves their civil partnership

● the family member is the parent of a child who retains the right of residence

The family member will retain the right to reside in these circumstances if they can satisfy the relevant conditions.

From the 30th March 2019, those who had retained rights of residence can apply for either Pre-Settled Status, or Settled Status, depending on the length of time they have lived in the UK, and if they meet certain requirements.

Who are the “Family Members” of an EEA National?

The European laws' definition of a family member includes spouses, civil partners, partners in a durable relationship, (cohabited for at least 2 years), and children under 21 years old.

It may also be possible to bring dependent parents, grandparents and extended family such as siblings and cousins to live in the UK, although where the EEA national is a student they may only be joined by their partner and dependent children.

Need Expert Immigration Advice?

Fill In Your Details Below for Expert Advice